May 31: Superheroes for Hospice
As spring gives way to summer, a comic book fan’s fancy turns to… more comics! After all, what better entertainment to bring to summer camp or read at the beach? Over 100,000 comic books — including high-end titles from the Silver Age — will be featured as part of the upcoming Superheroes for Hospice Charity Comic Book Sale. Also on sale will be a variety of comics-related merchandise including toys, action figures, t-shirts and more. Best of all, professional comics creators will be on hand to sell and autograph books and comics, draw sketches and sell original art and sketch cards.
Active since 2009, the charity has raised more than $60,000 to date for Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center (BHHPCC) by selling comics, books, toys and related items. Proceeds have helped assist individuals and families dealing with life-limiting illnesses. Conceived by BHHPCC Volunteer Coordinator Spiro Ballas, the event has attracted top industry talent who often appear to sign autographs and give entertaining lectures about the art form.
“These comic industry veterans are so big hearted and willing to help this worthwhile cause,” said Ballas. “And the public has turned out time and time again to support our efforts by donating comics and attending the sale.”
The event will feature thousands of comic books and graphic novels for sale, including books for children and adults and back by popular demand, a dealer of high-end Silver Age titles, and appearances by sketch artists and other comic book professionals including
Joe Caramagna – Harvey Award nominated Marvel Comics writer of Iron Man, Amazing Spider-Man, Rocket Raccoon and more
Paul Castiglia – veteran comics writer-editor who has worked for Archie, DC, Dark Horse, etc.
Paris Cullins – DC and Marvel Comics artist: Blue Beetle, Blue Devil, Hyperkind
Glenn Whitmore – artist and colorist for Superman, Archie, Captain Clockwork and more
Darrell Goza – penciller and inker for DC, Continuity, Blackthorne, Kiss Me Comix, etc.
Nadia Burgess – painter, illustrator, cartoonist and cake artist
Emilio Velez Jr. – writer, artist and creator of the acclaimed family-friend comic book series, The Dodgeball Teens
Joe Endres – writer-creator of Colossians and Space Scamps.
Michael Grassia – cartoonist for print, video and web; creator of webcomic, Plunger Pup
Shane Moore – writer-artist of The Omens from Electro-Magnetic Press
Vincent Delvecchio Jr. – multimedia artist
Sean Douglas – artist on The Accelerators
Marc Heyhoe – creator of Littleblokes
David E. McClain – writer-artist of The Artifyce Connection
Janimal Quisumbing – sketch card artist and creator of Lucha Bear and Time Shark
Don E. Smith, Comics Writer and Non-Fiction Author (The Puppy Sister, The Goffle Road Murders)
Rickman – cartoonist, writer-artist of Zach Meets the Zombie!
Theodore Raymond Riddle – writer-artist of Compu –M.E.C.H. graphic novels
Tom Schloendorn – Inker on Trailer Park of Terror, the Nowhere Man Connection
The free event will take place on Saturday, May 31, from 10 AM – 6 PM. It will be held at the Barnabas Health Corporate Office, located at 95 Old Short Hills Road in West Orange, NJ (directly across the street from Saint Barnabas Medical Center, next door to the Atkins Kent building). For more information or to make a comic book donation to Superheroes for Hospice, please contact Spiro Ballas at sballas@barnabashealth.org or (973) 322-4866.
About Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center
The health care team at Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center has been privileged to serve more than 52,000 patients and their families during one of the most personal times of their lives. Specially trained experts in end-of-life care are honored to provide comprehensive and compassionate medical, emotional and spiritual care at a time when it is needed most. Our programs, which serve infants, children, adults and the elderly, honor the individual choices and values of each patient and family, while offering full access to the broad array of services provided by Barnabas Health. For more information, please visit www.barnabashealthhospice.org.
